Do the certificate if you can afford it, it is a good addition to the resume. I was really unsure about taking it, considering the price, but I took it because it is a rare opportunity.

I still wonder why so many people wanting to work in the US keep doing a more than expensive one year program which goal is not to prepare students for work in the Us but their home country..., especially in this rather bad market...

Why not do a 2 year JD? Or why not work for a big internatioanl law firm/bank in your home country and try to get a job/mission in the US afterwards?

Good luck though, I guess it's still possible to find a job with a LLM!

Hi Mikado,

I havent heard of any JD of 2 year, do you mean there are joint programs?

Hi Mikada - In may case, its difficult to consider a JD programme. My LL.B degree programme was 5 years. I spent one year attending a pre-bar programme and I have been in legal practice for over 6 years. At this stage of my professional career, its difficult to consider taking a JD which is a first degree in law. I would feel like I'm spending an extra 2 - 3 years to obtain a qualification that I already have.

Although, I agree with you that it makes sense to take a JD since that is what most US employers prefer but for someone in my situation, that's a tall order! I would rather take the LL.M and hope for the best. Worst case, return to my home country!

@ C_Lawyer - Northwestern has a 2 year JD programme for foreign lawyers. You would need to take the LSAT to be eligible.

Here's a lot of infos on 2-year JDs: http://www.llm-guide.com/board/jd

Hi Mikada - In may case, its difficult to consider a JD programme. My LL.B degree programme was 5 years. I spent one year attending a pre-bar programme and I have been in legal practice for over 6 years. At this stage of my professional career, its difficult to consider taking a JD which is a first degree in law. I would feel like I'm spending an extra 2 - 3 years to obtain a qualification that I already have.

Although, I agree with you that it makes sense to take a JD since that is what most US employers prefer but for someone in my situation, that's a tall order! I would rather take the LL.M and hope for the best. Worst case, return to my home country!

@ C_Lawyer - Northwestern has a 2 year JD programme for foreign lawyers. You would need to take the LSAT to be eligible.

Here's a lot of infos on 2-year JDs: http://www.llm-guide.com/board/jd